A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hong Kong vs. Suzhou for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Hong Kong or Suzhou?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Hong Kong or Suzhou, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Hong Kong or Suzhou?

Hong Kong

In Hong Kong you will find a predominantly Cantonese population that has long been influenced by British occupation. Most residents speak English and you can see the obvious effects of years of capitalism. Shopping malls are everywhere and most are thriving. Along the waterfront every night the buildings light up in a dramatic and festive light show that highlights such businesses as Sony and Canon, which are fixtures in the city. The city is a major financial hub, and is very international in nature. The city itself is very densely packed and there are narrow high rises that look vulnerable due to their height. There are two main areas to the city, Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. Hong Kong Island is the location of the original British settlement. Today it is where you will find the highest skyscrapers, the most modern buildings, and the most popular shopping areas. Kowloon is located on a peninsula that is to the north of Hong Kong Island. The tip of the peninsula is a popular destination for backpackers as it has many of the city's hostels. This area is referred to as Tsim Sha Tsui. There are also a few high end hotels in the area. It is possible to head outside of the city so that you can escape into some rural regions where you can take a break from the crowds.

Suzhou

Suzhou is a city in Jiangsu province famed for its beautiful gardens and traditional waterside architecture, featuring elaborate canals and bridges. Located on the Yangtze Delta, the city consists largely of waterways making Suzhou a kind of 'Venice of the Orient.' It is also a hub for scholars, artists, and skilled craftsmen.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Shanghai, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing.


Which place is cheaper, Suzhou or Hong Kong?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Hong Kong is $159, while the average daily cost in Suzhou is $102. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Hong Kong and Suzhou in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hong Kong $75
    Suzhou $38
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hong Kong $150
    Suzhou $76
Compare Hotels in Hong Kong and Suzhou

Looking for a hotel in Hong Kong or Suzhou? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Hong Kong


Hotels in Suzhou


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Hong Kong Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Hong Kong $8.70
    Suzhou $57
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hong Kong

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Hong Kong:


  • MTR (for 2)
    $2.81
  • Local Bus
    $2.81
  • Ferry Ticket
    $0.26
  • Hong Kong Airport Express Train Ticket
    $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Suzhou

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Suzhou:

  • Suzhou to Beijing Bullet Train Ticket with Local Private Transfer : $178
  • Suzhou Private Transfer to Zhouzhuang Water Town with Shanghai Drop-off Option: $84
  • Suzhou Private Transfer to Tongli Water Town with Shanghai Drop-off Option: $84
  • Suzhou Private Departure Transfer: City Hotel to Railway Station: $25
  • Suzhou Private Arrival Transfer:Railway Station to City Hotel: $27
  • Shanghai Pudong International Airport Private Departure Transfer from Suzhou: $87
  • Shanghai Pudong Airport to Suzhou Chauffeur Service, Shanghai Airport Transfer: $240
  • Shanghai Pudong Airport - Suzhou Chauffeur Service,Shanghai Airport Transfer: $280
  • Shanghai Private Transfer from Suzhou with Stop-over at Tongli Water Town : $90
  • Shanghai Hongqiao Airport - Suzhou Chauffeur Service,Shanghai Airport Transfer: $240
  • Private Suzhou Garden and Water Town Highlight Trip with Hotel or Railway Station Transfer: $240
  • Private Round-Trip Transfer between Zhouzhuang Water Town and Suzhou City: $58

Is it cheaper to fly into Hong Kong or Suzhou?

Prices for flights to both Suzhou and Hong Kong change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Hong Kong $33
    Suzhou $32
Typical Food Prices in Hong Kong

For Hong Kong, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Dinner for 2
    $11

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Suzhou

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Suzhou.

  • Suzhou Alleyway Walking Food Tour With Locals: $55
  • Zhouzhuang Water Town Private Tour from Suzhou with Lunch or Dinner Option: $154

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Hong Kong $95
    Suzhou $9.34
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hong Kong

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Hong Kong's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Peak Tram
    $7.66
  • Madame Tussauds Hong Kong
    $24

Tours and Activities in Hong Kong

For Hong Kong, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Plover Cove Bicycling and Hiking Adventure: $109
  • Ma On Shan Climbing Adventure: $115

Tours and Activities in Suzhou

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Suzhou are as follows:

  • Private Shanghai City Tour from Suzhou by Bullet Train with Drop off Option: $232
  • 4-Hour Flexible Suzhou City Highlights Private Tour: $114
  • 4-Hour Suzhou Private Customized Tour: $71
  • 4-Hour Suzhou Private Flexible Tour with Garden and Boat Ride Option: $125
  • 4-Hour Tongli Water Town Private Tour from Suzhou with Boat Ride : $127
  • 4-Hour Zhouzhuang Water Town Private Tour from Suzhou with Boat Ride: $145
  • All Inclusive Suzhou Highlight Tour with Boat Ride and Lunch: $179
  • Classic Suzhou Tour with Hotel or Railway Station Pickup: $213
  • Essential Suzhou City Sightseeing Private Day Tour: $248
  • Flexible Shanghai Private Day Tour from Suzhou by Bullet Train: $208
  • Flexible Suzhou City Highlights Private Day Tour with Authentic Lunch: $153
  • Full Day Luzhi Water Town Day Tour From Suzhou: $178

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Hong Kong $21
    Suzhou $6.41


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hong Kong and Suzhou, we can see that Hong Kong is more expensive. And not only is Suzhou much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Suzhou would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Suzhou and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Hong Kong would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hong Kong than you might in Suzhou.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hong Kong Expensive? and Is Suzhou Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Hong Kong or Suzhou?

Hong Kong has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Suzhou. When comparing the sizes of Hong Kong and Suzhou, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.